Surah Al-Qasas 28:80

How Qarun went forth in His Finery, and His People's Comments

Allah tells us how Qarun went forth one day before his people with his magnificent regalia; wearing his fine clothes, accompanied by his fine horses, his servants and retinue. When those whose desires and inclinations were for the world saw his adornments and splendor, they wished that they could have the same as he had been given, and said:

(Ah, would that we had the like of what Qarun has been given! Verily, he is the owner of a great fortune.) meaning, `he is very lucky and has a great share in this world.' When the people of beneficial knowledge heard this, they said to them:

(Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for those who believe and do righteous deeds,) `Allah's reward to His believing, righteous servants in the Hereafter is better than what you see,' as is reported in the authentic Hadith:

(Allah has prepared for His righteous servants what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and the heart of a human cannot comprehend. Recite, if you wish: (No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.)) (32:17).

(and this none shall attain except the patient.) As-Suddi said: "None shall reach Paradise except for the patient" -- as if this were the completion of the statement made by the people of knowledge. Ibn Jarir said, "This applies only to those who patiently forsake the love of this world, seeking the Hereafter. It is as if this is part of what the people of knowledge said, but it is made part of the Words of Allah, stating this fact."

Ayat ini menerangkan kelompok kedua yaitu orang-orang yang berilmu dan berpikiran waras. Mereka menganggap bahwa cara berpikir orang-orang yang termasuk golongan pertama tadi sangat keliru, bahkan dianggap sebagai satu bencana besar dan kerugian yang nyata, karena lebih mementingkan kehidupan dunia yang fana dari kehidupan akhirat yang kekal. Golongan kedua berpendapat bahwa pahala di sisi Allah bagi orang-orang yang percaya kepada Allah dan rasul-Nya serta beramal saleh, jauh lebih baik daripada menumpuk harta. Apa yang di sisi Allah kekal abadi, sedangkan apa yang dimiliki manusia akan lenyap dan musnah, sebagaimana firman-Nya:

Apa yang ada di sisimu akan lenyap, dan apa yang ada di sisi Allah adalah kekal. (an-Nahl/16: 96)

Ayat 80 diakhiri satu penjelasan bahwa yang dapat menerima dan mengamalkan nasihat dari ayat di atas hanyalah orang-orang yang sabar dan tekun mematuhi perintah Allah, menjauhi larangan-Nya. Mereka juga menerima baik apa yang telah diberikan Allah kepadanya serta membelanjakannya untuk kepentingan diri dan masyarakat.